Greater New Orleans

'Top Spin 3' is used game of the week

Top Spin 3 (Take Two) took a big gamble with the "Top Spin" franchise by turning its beautiful tennis into a near simulator. That is, it's gorgeous. You can't believe how realistic players can seem as you serve, volley and lunge for balls.

But the game gives you less help than before in body movements and swings, so you really have to practice and learn to position yourself exactly right to hit that little ball on the screen or you'll lose. And the controls are a little tough to master. So, if you're looking for a challenging, lovely, frustrating game, this is one. It's selling in used game stores for $15 for Xbox 360 and PS 3, and $10 for Wii and DS. It's rated "E."